Riding a GS

[kemesc]

Here's couple of pictures of Sean (z_bassman) riding my GS.
Next time I'll get more pics.

Hope you had fun!

Ken

[ekaphoto]

Cool, how did he like it? Actually I seen a GS for sale here in Eureka a week or so ago. It is used, but looked to be in good shape from afar. I didn't stop and look at it. Let me know and I will try to find it for him if he want one.

[z_bassman]

Getting the opportunity to ride a GS was awesome. (Thanks again, Ken!!) It was extremely different than my GL500.

1981 GL500:

• (the brown one in the photo below)
• Full fairing, huge windshield, pretty much insulated from everything
• Top of the tank is almost level with the top of the seat
• Running with the visor open is easy
• "Top-heavy pig"

Thoughts on a GS:

• "Wow! It's loud out here in the wind. My helmet is getting blown all around. Turn my head a little and the wind tries to tear my head off! Better just keep that visor closed." (Side note: my visor never gets dirty, but it sure did this day!)
• "Riding position good - just a very slight forward lean."
• "Good grief, how do you ride with your 'package' stuffed up against the tank like this?!"
• "I feel like I'm sitting on top of the bars, the front of the bike is right there in front of me, not somewhere 'yonder ahead'"
• "Speed deceptive"
• "Waaaaaaaay lighter than my bike. More twitchy. Carving turns on my bike seems calmer, maybe because of the weight."
• "No fuel gauge?"
• "I miss my Throttle Rocker"

It was a great ride (maybe 60 mile loop through the foothills). Maybe it's just me, but it would seem to be a tiring bike to ride long distance though life was much, much better after I stopped and bought some earplugs. And a taller windscreen would probably help (recognizing that I'm quite tall from the waist up.) And then, maybe I'm just used to parking my fat keister in the still pocket of air created by mine.

[kemesc]

Hey! I for got to tell you about the Throttlemiester lock?!
Yes, it is windy, but I like the wind during the summer months.
The package stuff, I usually sit back when cruising and lean forward on the twisties. I have no problem with my package being crushed, maybe its a size thing? Did I just say that?! No Comment!

Now that you rode a GS, what's next?
Ken

[z_bassman]

Well, Matt (Toyuzu) has offered to let me ride his FJ600 after he puts it back together.

[Sevulturus]

He's made the same offer to me, of course that's all based upon the promise that I'll let him ride mine. Of course I need to make the trek down there to see him, as no amount of convincing will pull him away from his family to come visit me.

The GS is a beautiful bike, and you'd get used to the wind pretty quickly, I actually enjoy it now.

[z_bassman]

Originally Posted by Sevulturus

...The GS is a beautiful bike, and you'd get used to the wind pretty quickly, I actually enjoy it now.

Later in the afternoon, after I was used to it and it was hotter outside, I saw the advantage of the wind. It was definitely cooler.

[Law Dawg]

Sean, I'll wager that Touratech makes a "Package Cradle" for those. Lord knows they make just about everything else for them.


Ken, that was very nice of you. I will not allow anyone to ride my bike...period. Sort of like the movie "Clear and Present Danger" when Ryan is attempting to buy a used Huey in South America.

Ryan "How much?"
Owner "Two million dollars."
Ryan "We'll need to test fly it."
Owner "You just have to leave a deposit."
Ryan "How much?"
Owner "Two million dollars."

[Toyuzu]

Originally Posted by z_bassman

Well, Matt (Toyuzu) has offered to let me ride his FJ600 after he puts it back together.

This Saturday. Come on up, Gary's heading down for a ride. It will be ready to go. I'm just waiting on the new ignition switch which should be here in the next couple of days.

Originally Posted by Sevulturus

He's made the same offer to me, of course that's all based upon the promise that I'll let him ride mine. Of course I need to make the trek down there to see him, as no amount of convincing will pull him away from his family to come visit me.

I guess it's a little late notice to invite you, too. You could just quit that job, who needs employment anyway?

[Jester]

How's the signals and tail lights comming Matt? Now you have to keep her in one piece till Moto GP, OK?

LP